The Secret of the Jade Bangle

September 5, 2022
Following her grandmother’s death, a fourth grader isn’t sure what her Vietnamese heritage means to her in Trinh’s engaging debut. Anne Nguyen doesn’t attend Vietnamese school or take sticky rice for lunch like her cousins do, and she’s never traveled to Vietnam from her home in Winnipeg. But when Anne receives her beloved Grandma Nô.i’s jade bangle, her grandmother’s spirit appears, requesting traditional Vietnamese dishes for the family’s ancestor-honoring altar. Since Anne’s Canadian-born parents never learned to make them, Anne is tasked with learning how. Cooking gives Anne the chance to process the racist treatment she’s receiving in her majority-white ballet class, where her new teacher asks where she’s “really from” and criticizes her demi-plié, saying “You people are usually very flexible.” Learning to make favorite dishes also helps her to feel closer to her departed grandmother and her cultural history; learn about her family’s encounters with racism, including racist slurs; and affirm her own identity. An emotionally intelligent, straightforwardly told family story, it’s the first installment of a series centered on Anne and her siblings. An author’s note concludes; final art not seen by PW. Publishing simultaneously: The Power of the Pearl Earrings. Ages 6–9.

September 1, 2022
When 9-year-old Vietnamese Canadian Anne inherits her grandma's jade bangle, she begins a journey of cultural exploration. It's the new moon, and the Nguyen family is preparing altar offerings for the recently deceased Grandma Nội. "Three ceramic bowls of jasmine rice, three cups of black tea, barbeque pork, kale salad, lasagna, apples, and oranges" line the altar. But after Anne puts on the bracelet that night, Grandma Nội appears, revealing that she and the other family spirits wish to feast on food from the homeland. She never had the chance to pass on her culinary knowledge to Anne's father, but now she has chosen Anne to learn her recipes. Anne is not sure she can live up to this responsibility, but cooking with Grandma Nội makes her feel safe. These days, assurance is something she's looking for--her White ballet instructor's racial microaggressions leave her feeling uncertain. Trinh addresses racism, allyship, and friendship in this series starter. Short chapters keep the narrative moving, capturing the emotional beats of a young person grappling with the complexity of traditions, differing cultural identities among generations, and the weight of expectations as a child in an immigrant family. Grandma Nội and Anne's parents, separately, open up to Anne about their own experiences with racism, which empowers her to voice her feelings. Expressive black-and-white illustrations bring to life this Vietnamese Canadian family's story. A solid chapter book laced with themes of cultural confidence and family. (character biographies, author's note) (Fiction. 6-9)

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November 1, 2022

Gr 1-4-Nine-year-old Anne Nguyen is struggling with pressures within her Vietnamese family, at school, and at her beloved dance class. She feels overwhelmed by the need to do well in school, to honor her ancestors, and to succeed in ballet-something her mother dreamed of for herself. The recent death of her grandmother adds to her internal turmoil. When she's given her grandmother's jade bangle, something very special happens. Her grandmother begins to visit her and to teach her how to cook all the traditional dishes from Vietnam, something she regrets not having done with Anne's father. Through their otherwordly interactions, Anne receives guidance and support from her grandmother. When her ballet teacher begins making racist comments to her and about her in class, Anne uses her newfound strength to stand up for herself. Even her ballet rival comes to her defense. This story is a testament to standing up for yourself, standing up for your friends and family, and honoring your heritage. VERDICT This is a sweet title that handles the concepts surrounding racism as experienced by younger children in a relatable and age-appropriate way; it should be considered for all chapter book collections.-Jennifer Noonan

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